In a recent letter to the editor, Bob Livesay asked when Mayor Patterson is going to do something for Benicia, and questioned where the mayor’s focus is these days, and why isn’t it on Benicia? Well, I’ll let those of you who have been through the mayor’s first two terms to answer for yourselves whether the mayor has done anything for Benicia.
Given the fact that Mayor Patterson was recently re-elected for her third term, it seems to me the majority of Benicians see real accomplishments over the past several years.
As to moving forward, during the Dec. 6, 2016 City Council meeting in remarks following her swearing-in ceremony, Mayor Patterson included some of the items she hoped to focus on during her third term. If the self-described Owl, Mr. Livesay, was present at the meeting he heard these comments. Otherwise, he can go to the Herald’s online edition and read its report of the meeting where Mayor Patterson shared several priorities she hopes to work with City Council on during her current term.
For the benefit of the Owl and other readers, among the issues mentioned by Mayor Patterson were: getting a signed agreement for affordable high-speed internet at the Industrial Park; completing the bus hub project; revitalizing volunteerism and expanding public participation workshops; establishing a working group for the performing arts center campus; and, sponsoring an affordable housing and homeless summit. Then, of course, you factor in other issues such as fulfilling the day-to-day responsibilities of working with the council on the city’s two-year budget, labor negotiations, use of Measure C funds, plus ongoing water and energy conservation efforts.
Looks like a full agenda to me for the next four years. All of which is focused on Benicia, its citizens, community and wildlife.
Ralph Dennis,
Benicia
Sharing is caring!
Everything you mentioned is just words not accomplishments. broadband has been an item since about 2002, bus hub is a waste of money as long as the Industrial Park is still a mess, summits and work groups are what they are just meetings and words with no accomplishments, volunteerism is an on going thing, All have nothing to do with the economic development of this fine city. City budget and labor negotiation are part of the duties of the mayor and council. What’s new there? Try nothing. Yes I do know what she said and it is meaningless. She is more concerned about the past election of President Trump and making Benicia a sanctuary city. She should be developing an economic plan. I do not see one. Words and grants get nothing done. The one thing you are correct on is “among the issues mentioned by Mayor Patterson were”: Mentioned is a very big word and means nothing. Action does. This city is in a financial crisis that the mayor is in capable of dealing with. Better go back and look at the last time she said it was fixed. Not even close. I do care about this city and do wish the mayor would start some action plans instead of personal ideals agendas. Not good. I will have plenty to say over the next four years. Stay tuned. The Owl does know.
I would agree with Mr. Livesay’s comments. What are the real, serious issues facing Benicia?
First, our outrageous water and sewer bills. We need city leadership in bringing these bills in line.
Second, we need to invest in our assets as an historic and cultural town. Our historical buildings are largely under utilized. Most in the Bay Area do not know about the Arsenal area. We should expand outreach and clean up the Arsenal. We can bring in tourists. The same can be said about 1st Street. It could use attention in terms of infrastructure. Our off ramps from 780 look like dumpsters … No one driving by would think of pulling off and visiting.
Third, the industrial park land use can be expanded for further revenue to the city.
Instead of all these real world issues, Mayor Patterson focuses upon volunteerism, and green issues. She is misguided. Her dabbling with sanctuary city status is ridiculous. Focus on real local issues mayor!
First Street and the Arsenal District should be linked with a shuttle service on weekends that makes stops at glass studios as well.. A majority of our artists are concentrated out there and we should be bringing the tourists to them instead of relying on signs to direct visitors. This is probably a lot easier said than done or it would have happened already.
The artist group should do it. It is to their advantage.
Beyond the usual blowhards—
From the above article:
“Well, I’ll let those of you who have been through the mayor’s first two terms to answer for yourselves whether the mayor has done anything for Benicia.
Given the fact that Mayor Patterson was recently re-elected for her third term, it seems to me the majority of Benicians see real accomplishments over the past several years.”
Thank you, Mr. Dennis for your letter.
This article below written during the recent election campaign— gives the citizens, readers and voters a real, true snapshot of what mayor Elizabeth Patterson has accomplished.
Jon Van Landschoot: Actions speak louder than words or endorsements in Benicia mayoral race
October 28, 2016.
The candidates who have shown they have positively advocated for Benicia citizens will always get my vote. Politicians always promise the moon, few actually deliver.
In my 30-plus years living in our terrific town, I have not seen any elected official work as hard and get so many things done as our mayor, Elizabeth Patterson. I will add Tom Campbell and Steve Young to that list also. What follows is my memory of what these three folks have done for our town.
First, let’s look at Elizabeth’s efforts. In the early 1990s, there was an effort to build 1,500-plus new homes in the Sky Valley area just north of Benicia. This caused a tremendous outpouring of concern from the public. Benicians did not want to have a huge suburb north of our town. It was subsequently not built. Sounds a bit like the proposed Seeno Northern Gateway Project to me!
What this event did do was to galvanize a number of folks to update our General Plan and protect our open space. That effort was spearheaded by Kitty Griffin– that lovely dynamo– and Elizabeth Patterson.
Hundreds of folks attended a ton of meetings, and countless hours went into the effort. What came out if it is still regarded by many as a model document. Thank you, Elizabeth and Kitty, for leading the effort. Your present General Plan was enacted unanimously by the City Council in 1999.
In 2003, the same two stalwarts saved Sky Valley from any future development with Proposition K. The measure passed with over 60 percent approval. Today, you can take a very pleasant ride out to Sky Valley and see only trees, and in the spring myriad flowers and color. Thanks to all who worked to “Save Sky Valley.”
In 2005, Sue Street– another lovely dynamo and a killer bridge player– and Elizabeth made a similar effort to “Save The Marina Green.” There were plans to build a strip mall and a three-story boutique hotel on the Green !
Measure C was passed by our citizens by well over 60 percent of the vote. We now enjoy the Green for myriad activities. Thanks to all who worked to save the Green. I love being down there on a windy day.
Elizabeth also served on the Planning Commission in the late 1990s and added a great wealth of knowledge to that body. Trained as a planner, and having served at the California state level in the Department of Water for well over 30 years, working with Mike Thompson, she worked to get California to be “Water Wise,” and she has brought that knowledge and energy to Benicia . The “Pure” effort to save and recycle water from Valero was made in the mid 2000s.
As mayor of Benicia, Elizabeth has only upped her game. She has appointed extremely qualified Benicians to our boards and commissions. Elizabeth also was a big mover in the conversion of Mills Elementary School into our wonderful Benicia Community Center.
She also has advocated for the creation of an Open Government Commission, The Arts and Cultural Commission and the Community Sustainability Commission. All these efforts succeeded and have helped Benicia become a more open city, a boon to the thriving arts community. Let’s not forget the Climate Action Plan that helped Benicia become one of the very top water savers in the Bay Area. Our Green Building Code is a Bay Area leader in LEED Building Codes. Oh, and we also have become a “Tree City,” with a tree ordinance to save our heritage trees. Benicia also has a trained tree arborist for citizens to consult. Gee, a very busy Mayor.
Elizabeth has, with others, long advocated for air monitors on the fence line of the Valero refinery. Valero has dragged its feet for quite a long time. So, we do not know the actual air pollutants that we breath each day! Over my 32 years as a teacher in Solano County, I have seen firsthand the asthma and allergy cases climb.
Other ongoing efforts by Mayor Patterson include using the Good Neighbor Steering Committee money from the Valero settlement to facilitate Benicia joining Marin Clean Energy which saved the city and residents a lot of money on energy use. Also, Elizabeth is leading the continuing effort to give grants to our local businesses to upgrade their energy and water systems. This saves money that can be poured back into their business and hopefully add more employees, thus increasing profits.
She has also been a champion of Benicia’s Clean Tech Expo at the Clock Tower, and Benicia Makerspace in our middle school.
While Elizabeth has been our mayor, the city has increased grants to our Human Services folks, Benicia Old Town Theatre Group and Arts Benicia . She is always looking to help Benicia’s nonprofits and enhance our life experiences here in Benicia.
In 2012, when the State Parks wanted to shed 70 parks– two in Benicia– Elizabeth said “ No!” She and the Benicia State Parks Association ( BSPA ), mobilized Benicians and stopped the closures. She advocated for a State Parks, Solano County, cities of Benicia and Vallejo and BSPA Committee . It meets every other month at the Benicia Capitol. The city took over the bathrooms and the lawns at the Capitol.
This group ponied up enough money this spring to repave the roads in the Benicia State Recreation Area. This past August, Elizabeth attended a celebration at the Capitol to push for more improvements at both the Capitol and the Benicia SRA. She also was on hand for the dedication of a new plaque at the foot of the Capitol steps.
Not content to rest , Elizabeth also had a big hand in the remodeling of Military West near the City Park. Traffic calming, a bigger bus stop and new trees really give an inviting look to all.
A few years ago, the Seeno group pushed very hard to build an Industrial Park on their property between East Second Street and Lake Herman Road. This land is labeled “industrial” in our General Plan. After much resistance to following our General Plan and Green Building Code, the Seeno folks pulled out. They are back now with a “Northern Gateway Project” and wanting to build 900-plus housing units among industrial buildings. Having kids, moms and dads living within this new industrial development—which can produce excessive noise, toxins, traffic congestion, and the possibility of explosions does not sound like a good idea . New costs for services for these homes will mostly fall on current Benicians. Our schools will be very impacted: more traffic, more of our water will be used, police and fire resources will be stretched. Also, it does not match with our General Plan! Elizabeth has stated her opposition to this new plan if it includes housing.
Of course, Valero’s Crude By Rail Plan (CBR ) has been a crucial discussion for the past few years. In March of this year, the Planning Commission, after almost two years of hearings, unanimously voted to deny the project and gave 11 sound reasons. Most had to do with conflicts with our General Plan and for health and safety concerns. The Planning Commission did yeoman work. A lot of the credit goes to Steve Young, now running for City Council. In April of this year, the City Council took up the issue. After days of hearings, much of the information was the same as the Planning Commission had heard. The City Council voted. Elizabeth and Tom Campbell voted to deny the CBR Project based on the Planning Commission ‘s findings. Three councilmembers did not know what to do! Christina Strawbridge, Alan Schwartzman and Mark Hughes needed “more information” to make decision. So, as you know we waited five months for the Surface Transportation Board (STB ) to help them out. What was at issue, was not the safety of the project, but Valero’s claim that the CBR Project was pre-empted and, therefore, could not be denied because it would be an infringement on Interstate Commerce. However, if all the councilmembers would have listened to the tons of folk who gave evidence at both the Planning Commission and the council meetings, they should have realized that Valero’s project did not qualify for pre-emption. Why? Because Valero is not a railroad, nor is Valero currently shipping or receiving product by rail.So, when the STB issued its ruling on Sept. 20 stating there is no pre-emption, the three councilmembers scrambled to vote “ No “ and deny the CBR Project. Who wants to be in favor of the dangerous CBR Project? Christina was the first to change her mind, followed by Alan and finally by Mark. A big question remains. Will these three be able to make big tough decisions in the future or wait until some board bails them out?
Finally, our leaders need to be in the community. I see Elizabeth all over the town. If she isn’t at the Camel Barn, she is at a BeniciaMain Street event, an Art Soirée on First Street, attending an Arts Benicia Gala, at our schools (sometimes teaching a class on sustainability ), or at the Historic Benicia Capitol attending a re-enactment program. She walks and bikes all over town and at the Benicia SRA. She has been spotted at Bookshop Benicia for book events and in our terrific library for myriad events.
However, what I think is the neatest thing she does is to meet with Benicians most every Monday evening and listen to their concerns and ideas. Who else on our council does that? None! Vote Elizabeth!
Jon Van Landschoot is a Benicia resident
Nice to see you back Will.; . But lets remember at present the mayors main function is to make sure this city is financial sound.; That can only happen with sound Econ Dev and financial responsibility. That is not the Mayors long suit. , ,That is just what I have stated many times in the past. The mayor must direct her thinking to local issue.; The state and feds will take care of the rest. The Mayor thinks she is the whole thing wrapped into her ideals. Not good Will.. All the things that you posted are a direct copy of what the mayor wants her tite knit Socialist fans to write about. You fell into the trap. I assume you know the City Financial Director is leaving. Brenda where are you when we need you now. We do not need the Mayor and her lack of financial skills or her Socialist lemmings directing this city. Wake up Will.;
I just read this very long post and have come to two conclusions: Mayor Patterson is more concerned about green issues tha. The financial well being of our town, and that any popular project the city has constructed in the last 30 years, Elizabeth is trying to co-opt as her own doing.
Shallow and unbelievable. But where’s the beef? What is Elizabeth doing to help with our finances, including controlling outrageous costs being shoved onto taxpayers? She seems content on spending money to attack the industrial park and Valero, however.
I would sure like to see some responsible common sense use of finances in our little town. Instead I see a bunch of feel good wasteful projects that are lousy investments.
You make sense. An economic plan would be a good start. The city did a good job on the Measure C money so far. But this is where the issue is. That money can be used in the city budget as it is needed. I think you will find that shortly down the road the whole 1% will go to the city budget. Lets hope not. That is where a very strong economic development plan will be needed and followed. The only purpose of the econ plan is to create a steady reliable stream of money to this fine city. We seem to always be behind and when something comes up it appears to be a surprise. There are no surprises only bad -planning. I do believe you have three council members that should take the lead. All very capable of doing this. The Mayor and a newly elected council member will have to follow. Yes they will have input. Put no bike racks or anything that is not revenue producing should be tolerated. This City has a very fine reliable city staff to carry out the plan. All very professional and fully understand this fine city. Give them a plan and away they will go. But first the three council members need to take the lead.
I would like to know who planned the trees and plants at intersections on Military West? It’s my understanding all this prettiness is supposed to slow traffic and make intersection safe. As a driver I have found the opposite to be true: The plants have grown tall and wide and obstruct my view when turning left.
Ralph the biggest disservice to this city by the Mayor is the attempt by the Mayor to make Benicia a sanctuary city. The state may do that for her. They all have short memories. Remember the new cry Mayor Patterson. “Boston and San Berdo”. Do you even care about American lives.
The Mayor and her co-dependent Councilmember Steve young went full time political. They made Benicia a sanctuary city. Councilmember Young said: “I think it’s clear to everyone that this is not a normal transition of power to a normal president”. That is correct and that is why he won. We all know you are a Bernie Sanders backer. National Politics come to Benicia City Council in the form of Mayor Patterson and Councilmember Steve Young. I would say these two may not fall into the normal category. Pure Socialist Progressives with a personal ideals agenda to force on the residents of Benicia. Bad news.